Published: 12:20 AM, 12 October 2026
Four including Ayas remanded over attempt to deface Tagore graffiti
A Dhaka court on Sunday put Rashtra Sanglap Forum President ANM Ayas and three others on remand in a case filed over criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between classes, and inciting religious hatred.
The court granted three days of remand for Ayas and Sakibul Hasan and two days each for Sujon Mia and Marjia Khandaker Rimi.
Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order after police produced him before the court with a 10-day remand prayer, Additional Public Prosecutor Muhammad Shamsud Doha Sumon said.
Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqi argued in favor of remand on behalf of the state. Defense lawyer Monir Hossain sought cancellation of the remand petitions and bail for the accused.
On Saturday, SI Ziaul Haque of Shahbagh police station filed the case over the attempted erasure of Tagore's portrait. The accused have been charged with criminal conspiracy, creating enmity between different groups and hurting religious sentiments. At noon on Saturday, a group of young people, including Ayas, faced police obstruction while attempting to erase Tagore's portrait on a wall in front of the Shilpakala Academy. An argument broke out between the 2 sides, after which police detained Ayas and 3 others and took them to the police station.
At the scene, a woman was seen applying ink to Tagore's portrait before a police officer intervened to stop her. The woman said they had come to protest against "Indian aggression."
